Part 1-White Clouds: Harpstring Moon-First Test

L:

The day after the mock battle, Claude called us to the classroom. Everyone is standing in a circle around him. Claude begins to speak.

"Okay so I know we are still reeling from our loss yesterday, but I just received our mission for this month."

Hilda interrupts Claude.

"Oh c'mon Claude. We aren't really that bummed out about yesterday."

Ignatz also comments.

"To be fair, we had no idea that Byleth would be such an expert tactician. I think if they had any other teacher, we could have won."

Lysithea adds her thoughts as well.

"We shouldn't be thinking about what ifs. We lost and that's what happened. We just have to learn from this and move on. Although it does slightly upsets me that we lost."

Lorenz was going to speak but Claude beat him to it.

"Alright I get it. Mixed emotions from everyone. It does suck that we lost but it was pretty cool to see Teach in action again. But that is not what this meeting is about. Today Manuela told me this month's mission. We are to work with the Blue Lion House and stop some bandits at The Great Bridge of Myrddin. That's all she told me about the mission and she said that we have to meet up with the Blue Lion House in their classroom. Apperatanly that is where we will be told the rest of the mission so let's get going."

We follow Claude out of the classroom and into the Blue Lion's. Once we walked in I recognize some of them. Sylvain, which I have heard is quite the ladies man unlike Lorenz, Dedue, and obviously Dimitri. The rest of their house have familiar faces but I don't know their names. Claude stands next to Dimitri and both houses crowd around the house leaders.

"So Dimitri, do you know about the mission or did Hanneman only tell you where we're going?"

"Our professor only told us the location and that we would have to meet with your house. I was under the impression that you knew more about the mission."

"So was I but I guess we are both in the dark here."

"Don't worry because that's why I'm here."

We all turn to the door and we see Alois. He walks towards the front of the class and stands in front of us with a big smile on his face. Dimitri and Claude moved aside and more towards the rest of us. Alois begins his explanation.

"Okay so this month Lady Rhea has assigned both houses the same mission. Since the Black Eagles are going to the Red Canyon this month, we are going to send you guys to the Great Bridge of Myrddin. We have received word that some bandits will arrive there and attack the bridge. Apparently they are not too concerned with them so we thought this would be the perfect chance for the students to gain some experience on the battlefield. You guys have been learning about combat through books and with the mock battle we had yesterday but this is different. Nothing beats real experience."

"But why do both the houses have to go?"

"Excellent question Claude. Since the Black Eagle House won yesterday's mock battle, we have decided that they are capable to go on a mission as a single house. That leaves the two houses that lost. Just to be safe we decided to put you guys together for your first mission."

"I think that is a fair and logical decision. When do we depart for the mission?"

"Another great question. Thank you Dimitri. We depart the 23th. The end of the month. You will be accompanied by me so you have nothing to worry about."

He ended his sentence with a hearty laugh. Alois left shortly afterwards and the two house leaders started to talk to each other. They spoke with a low voice so I couldn't hear them. Claude then cleared his throat and clapped his hands to regain our focus.

"Alright everyone. Dimitri and I think it will benefit both houses if we got to know each other before we depart for the mission. We know it's still weeks away but it doesn't hurt to start now. So let's just introduce ourselves to each other."

Claude is being very cooperative which slightly worries me. He probably has something planned here. We face the Blue Lions and we introduce ourselves one by one starting with me. I look at Claude with confusion.

"What do I say exactly?"

"Your name, your age where you're from. Stuff like that."

I turn back to the other house and I quickly think about what I have to say. After a quick breathe I start my introduction.

"My name is Leonardo Lovell. I'm 17 and I was born in Leicester's Alliance."

They stare at me while silence begins to fill the room. Did I say something wrong? I felt something nudge my side I and turn to see Hilda whispering something to me.

"That was too short Leo. Say where your specific from. Talk about your family or stuff you like."

I once again face my audience and continue with my intro.

"I don't know where exactly I was born since my mother travels a lot. I have never met my father. Not because he is dead but because he left my family. I like tea and learning new things."

I hear skin connect with skin and I turn to see Claude with his hand on his forehead shaking his head. I look at the Blue Lions and they have a slightly uncomfortable face except Dedue. I turn to look at Hilda and she looks at me with a sad face. I whisper to her.

"What's wrong?"

"You probably didn't have to say the part about your dad. You kinda brought the mood down."

"But I ended it with my likes."

She just sighs at me and also shakes her head at me. Luckily she saves me with her intro.

"Hello my name is Hilda Valentine Goneril and I'm the eldest daughter of House Goneril. I like making accessories and sleeping."

She relaxed the room and it seems like everyone has forgotten about my intro. I feel slightly saddened by this but there is nothing I can do about it. Everyone else goes through their intro, even Marianne, and now it was the Blue Lions turn. The first one to speak was a red haired girl which I remember her from when we drank tea with Lorenz, but it seemed like she didn't want to go first. I see Dimitri whisper something in her ear and she sighs.

"My name is Rosaline Aubin and I'm 17. I like to train and I like Faerghus."

Her intro sounded like mine but she sounded more forced than my intro. The girl next to her which was also with Rosaline when they drank tea, spoke up.

"Rosaline don't you want to talk about your love for horses?"

Rosaline face matched her hair as she gave a death stare to her. The shortest girl also spoke up.

"Or the fact that horses are scared of you?"

She giggled at her own question which the rest of the girls joined in on.

"Shut up!"

Rosaline shouted at her housemates. She was going to lunge at them but Dimitri held her back.

"Enough Rosa. Calm down."

Her face was still red but she finally calmed down. The rest of the Blue Lions introduced themselves and then Dimitri spoke up.

"Okay so now that we have introduced ourselves, I plan to have some joint training sessions if that is okay with Claude, of course."

"Umm yeah sure. Just tell me ahead of time and we'll see if we can make it."

"Excellent. For now this meeting is adjourned. You may all leave now."

We all leave and Claude walks up to me.

"Nice intro Leo, you really showed them who you really are."

"You're never going to call me by my full name are you?"

"Nope."

"I guess I can't make you. Anyways, was my intro really that bad?"

"Yes it was. Did you realize that anyone with less parents then normal didn't bring it up? Raphael, Dedue, Ashe, Rosaline, and Mercedes."

"Wait Rosaline lost her parents? Isn't she a noble?"

"Oh yeah that's right. You probably haven't heard about what happened to House Aubin. Well, I guess I'll fill you in."


R:

After Edelgard told us what our mission was this week, we left the classroom. I tried to talk to Dorothea but she quickly started to talk to Petra.

"Petra, your hair looks dazzling! You simply must show me how you braid it."

"With gladness Dorothea."

"Let's go to my room."

Dorothea gave me a quick look and she left with Petra. I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay Richard. A woman's heart is a difficult thing to understand. Let's share a meal to help you relax a bit."

"I think I'm fine Ferdinand but thanks for the offer."

"O come now Richard. I insist that you share a meal with me. I bet your quiet famished after skipping breakfast today."

I completely forgot that I haven't eaten all day. It's barely noon and my stomach started to rumble.

"Fine I'll join you."

"Excellent. Come let's enjoy a great meal together."

We start to walk towards the dining hall and then I hear another voice behind us.

"Wait for us guys. Linhardt and I are starving."

"I wouldn't say I'm that hungry. It's more like I'm tired and I want to take a nap."

Caspar is dragging Linhardt towards us. Ferdinand turns to look at the both of them.

"That's perfect. More the merrier as they say. Maybe we should invite Hubert as well?"

"I think that would be pushing our luck there Ferdinand. I think just the four of us is fine."

Caspar and Linhardt arrive next to us and Caspar talks.

"Yeah that's a good point Richard. I don't think Hubert would want to eat with us even if he wasn't following around Edelgard."

We all walk to the dinning hall and we sit together. Before anyone could speak three plates are placed next to us.

"Sorry guys but there were no other tables around so we had to sit here."

I give the almost emtpy dining hall a quick scan and I turn to look at Claude.

"But-"

"Anyways, I heard you guys just received your mission. What is it?"

Claude, a kid with glasses, and my next door neighbor, sit down next to us. The kid with glasses speaks up before we answer Claude's question.

"But Claude, Alois already told-"

"Ignatz. You really don't know how to get information out of people. Of course I know where their mission is. Like I imagine they know where we are going for our mission. Right?"

Is this guy trying to get us to talk? Why? It's not like we are in competition against each other. Plus he just admitted to the fact that he already knows what we are doing so what is he after? This guy is already giving me a headache. Thanks goodness Caspar speaks up for us.

"Actually, they never told us what you guys are doing. So what is it?"

"Sorry, I can't give that kind of info out unless you guys tell us-"

"We are going to the Great Bridge of Myrddin to handle some bandits."

My neighbor, which I have never heard his name, spills the beans and Claude quickly turns to him.

"Leo! I was trying to get info here. Your not suppose to tell them about our mission."

"Well I just wanted to eat lunch in peace with Ignatz but you dragged us to your stupid schemes."

"I was trying to teach you two how it's done but both of you failed me."

Ferdinand speaks up.

"Claude why must you scheme against us? We are all students here at the Officer's Academy. Sure we are from different houses but I think we should try to be friends."

Linhardt also adds his own comments.

"I half agree with you Ferdinand. We shouldn't try to scheme against each other. It's way easier to just avoid each other and leave everyone to themselves."

Caspar turns to look at Linhardt.

"C'mon Linhardt. At least try to talk to other people. I agree with Ferdinand. We should all strive to help each other out and try to become stronger."

"I agree with them Claude. Maybe we should just talk to them as if their were our classmates."

"Ignatz is right, Claude. You don't have to back flip around in every conversation you have."

"Jeez, you guys are no fun. I try to learn one thing and now everyone is against me. Fine I'll ask you normally. Is it true you guys are going to the Red Canyon?"

This time I answer.

"Yeah. Our house has to deal with some bandits. They said it would give us real combat experience."

Leo nodded his head.

"Yeah they said the same thing to us. The only difference is that we have to work with the Blue Lions."

Caspar asked the question we all had.

"Why though?"

Before any of the Golden Deer could answer I felt two hands on my shoulders. I start to get upset with everyone touching me on the shoulders. I glance up and I see Sylvain with his usual smile.

"That is an excellent question Caspar. Before you answer that I'm going to borrow Richard for a second."

I look at my barely touched plate and sigh. I stand up and I look at my table mates.

"Sorry guys. I'll be back in a bit."

I wave them and I follow Sylvain outside into the courtyards. Sylvain turns to face me with the same grin he had last time I saw him.

"So any progress with Rosaline?"

"It's only been a few hours since we last saw each other. How would I have made any progress?"

"What are you talking about? I would have already have a date with a girl in half that time. Then probably another date with a different girl."

"How are you proud of that?"

"Look, that isn't the point. The point is that you should have done something. Instead of eating with those guys, you could have been eating with her."

"I doubt she would eat with me if I just asked her all of a sudden."

I didn't plan on talking to this guy again but he is surprisingly persistent about this. I really don't want to talk to Rosaline right now. I feel it would be wrong of me to tell her only after being here for a week and a half.

"Don't worry I'll tell her to meet you here and you guys can eat lunch together."

"Why are you so keen on me talking to her?"

His face drops to a more serious face when he answers my question.

"Look this is just between the two of us. She doesn't have many friends outside the four of us. Even if you don't go out with her, it would be nice if she could have another friend."

I was surprised by his answer. I never really pegged him as the caring type. Then again he did confront me about the whole stalking thing. Wait a minute.

"Doesn't she know that I 'stalked' her? I don't think she would like to eat with a creeper like me."

"Don't worry about that. I already explained everything to her. Just wait here while I go get her."

Before I could ask what that means, he left me. I contemplated on leaving and going back to my table but my gut is telling me to stay. I do feel bad for everyone waiting for me at the table. Before I could think about it I see a blue haired girl walking alone. I decide to kill time by talking to her.

"Marianne."

She jumped to the sound of her name. I wonder how she will survive the mission she has this month. She turns to see me and her face slightly looks less worried. I guess that is progress.

"What are you doing Marianne?"

"Umm...walking to the stables."

"To go to see Dorte right?"

She just nods her head. Usually she looks like she wants to run away but this time she looks a little bit more relaxed with me.

"I heard you guys are going to the Great Bridge of Myrddin this month with the Blue Lions."

"Yeah… we were just told today."

Before I could talk she surprisingly speaks again.

"Why are you always talking to me? I'm not very interesting or easy to talk to."

Her question surprised me. I didn't answer for a second which was a mistake.

"Hey Richard."

I turn to see Sylvain waving at me. I didn't even have to turn back around to hear Marianne.

"Sorry I have to go now. Goodbye."

By the time I turned around I only saw her back.


Rs:

I was training with Felix when Sylvain entered the training grounds.

"Hey Rosaline, I need you to come with me."

"Can't you see I'm busy right now Sylvain."

I show him the training axe for emphasis and I went back to face Felix. Sylvain once again tries to distract me.

"C'mon Rosaline. Your probably hungry right? Why don't you just come eat lunch with me?"

I roll my eyes and I lunge at Felix. I swing my axe sideways and Felix blocked it. He quickly sidesteps and lunges at me. I try to back step but his sword still hit my chest. I try to regain my balance but Felix is too quick for me. He hits my wrist which makes me lose grip of my axe. He knees me in the gut and I fall to my knees. He places his sword atop my head and I groan in pain. Felix returns his sword to his side and started to talk.

"You're too slow to react to my movements. You need to improve your reaction time and your speed. You have the strength to knock down most people with a single blow but your opponent might be faster than you. You can be the strongest fighter but if you can't land a single hit, you're useless."

I hold my stomach while I try to stand up. Sylvain helps me up and keeps trying to convince me to go with him.

"You know what helps with a defeat? A meal with me."

"Fine I'll go with you. Thanks Felix for sparring with me. I'll try to get faster and the next time we meet I'll land a hit on you."

Felix scoffs at me and he continues to practice.

"Let me clean up before I go with you."

"That's fine. I have to do something real quick so I'll meet with you at your room."

Sylvain left to the dining hall. I walk to my room and I change into a cleaner uniform. I fix my hair and I sit down on my bed. I want to improve my skills and this academy is already helping me. I got excited when they announced our first mission. I was also surprised by the fact that we would work with the Golden Deer. They are an interesting group of people. I also remember Mercedes and Annette embarrassing me in front of everyone. I told them that secret because they kept pestering me about it and now everyone knows. I shake my head and I leave my room. I don't know why Sylvain was really persistent on me eating lunch with him. He didn't even invite Felix which makes me question his true intentions. I wait downstairs and I see him walking towards me. I wave at him and I walk to meet him.

"You ready Rosaline?"

"First tell me what you're really after here."

"I guess you just have to follow me and find out."

He walks up the stairs that leads to the dining hall. I follow him from behind. I just hope I can at least eat something. As we arrive in the dining hall, Sylvain turns around and faces me.

"Okay wait here while I get your date."

"Wait What!?"

"Lower your voice Rosaline. I have somebody here who wants to eat with you. Remember that guy you were worried about? He wants to apologize over lunch. I'll go get him."

He walks out and towards the courtyard before I could respond. I get slightly nervous about this guy. I know Sylvain told me that he was a good guy but that doesn't truly convince me. Maybe it's good that we are eating together so we can clear the air. I see Sylvain pull Richard into the dining hall. He whispers something into Richard's ear and he leaves Richard alone. He winks at me while he leaves the dining hall. I feel my face heat up as Richard walk towards me. He looks just as embarrassed as I am which makes me feel slightly better. He stands in front of me and he avoids eye contact with me.

"I don't know what Sylvain said to you but I would like to apologize for scaring you last week. You just looked like somebody I knew before so it just freaked me out. Sorry about that. I hope you can forgive me."

I was surprised by his sincerity. I feel slightly bad for accusing him of stalking me. I was about to respond to him but he continues.

"I understand if you don't want me to talk to you again. After this I'll just leave you alone."

"No it's fine. I forgive you. Actually I would like to apologize since I accused you as well."

"I understand why you did it. It's fine. I guess we are all even now. I'll leave you to whatever you were doing before Sylvain pulled you into this."

He kinda laughs after he forgives me. I slightly laugh as well. He goes to leave but I grab his sleeve.

"I don't mind if you want to eat lunch with me."

Richard's face turns slightly red. My face does as well but I don't let go of his sleeve.

"Sorry but I already have my plate with my housemates."

My face heats up and I let go of his sleeve. I turn around so he can't see me.

"It's okay. I wasn't really hungry anyways. I only offered since Sylvain made you come here. See you later."

I quickly walked out of the dining hall. I can't believe I acted like that. Why did Sylvain put me through this? And I'm still hungry.


L:

Richard returns to our table while we are eating. He just missed Claude explain why we're working with the Blue Lions. He sits down while we see his face is red. Claude raises his eyebrow at Richard.

"What was that all about? We see you walk outside with Sylvain and then you walk to meet with Rosaline. Suspicious."

Richard's face reddens more as he starts to eat his food. The orange haired guy tries to defend Richard.

"Richard has many troubles with the women of the Officers Academy. He is still trying to learn from me."

The tired looking guy responds to him.

"I don't think you're qualified to say that if the only woman who speaks to you is Edelgard. And she only shoos you away."

The blue haired guy and Richard starts to laugh at what he just said. Ignatz turns to looks at us.

"He kinda seems like Lorenz."

Claude spits out his food while he laughs. I let out a chuckle at Ignatz's comment. We all share a laugh except for the orange haired guy. This makes me glad I'm attending the Officers Academy. I'm happy my dad told me about this place.

AN:

Yahello! This week has been busy for me. Ironically my job was like "Labor day? What that? Here's more work." Anyways, I always thought about what did the other houses do for their own missions, so this is me trying to feel in that blank. Once I finished this chapter I realize that I need to create missions for each moon. Back to the drawing board. I will fully admit that I write each chapter on the fly with a little planning before hand like with locations and backstory. After this chapter I really want to sit down and figure out the minor details. i know the skeleton of my story but not the meat. Weird analogy aside, I really want to make this story great so no more horsing around. I really like all of you who read this story so I don't want to disappoint any of you. Hopefully you guys read the next chapter and say "This is good." I don't know what I'm talking about anymore. That's pretty much it.-Omas125

P.S: Just watched It chapter 2 and just have to say Bill Hader 10/10